It features the first appearance of several comicbook heroesmost notably. Superman author jerry siegel during his us army service in hawaii circa 1944. Previously, the highest selling comics had sold an average of about 200,000400,000 copies per issue, but each bimonthly issue of superman sold about 1,300,000 copies. But the main problem is action comics 1 from 1938, for superman did not get his own title until 1939, has been reprinted many times in different formats, hence those seriously vary by size as well. He inspired characters like the spirit, the green hornet, ragman, greyshirt, question, rorschach blue. Second vintage superman comic found by david gonzalez after. This page lists prices for the first 100 issues of supermans appearances in his solo series, which began in 1939. Celebrate superman month historical timeline 1930s to. Copy of the first comic featuring superman from the 1930s. This comic book is also the first featuring a superhero, and is considered to be the most valuable comic in the world. The superman character was created by jerry siegel and joe shuster in 1933 before being sold to detective comics, inc. From his blue uniform to his flowing red cape to the s shield on his chest, superman is one of the most immediately recognizable and beloved dc super heroes of all time.
Maurice mitchell is a sciencefiction and comic book critic, blogger, and journalist. This monthly comic follows the serialized adventures of the man of steel and his life in metropolis. The first issue in action comic was published in 1938. Supermen the first wave of comic book heroes 19361941.
Wright 9 superman was quick to earn his own comic book, superman, a daily comic strip in the newspapers, and his own radio show. Literally dozens of superman clones were rushed into production by rival comic book publishers, and suddenly the comic book industry had a future. Other than a handful of hardy survivors, the hundreds of costumed crime fighters that sprang up in comics early era are long forgotten. Some peg it to 1933, when the format of newsstand comic books was codified, but others place the moment in june of 1938, when superman made his debut in jerry siegel and joe shusters first issue of action comics, whose cover featured the redcaped superhero from the planet krypton lifting a car over his. Jerry siegel and joe shuster created the comic book character superman. He and his twin brother operate two blogs dedicated to science fiction and fantasy films, the geek twins and film sketchr. Mayer found the rejected superman comic strips, and sullivan told siegel and. June 30, 1938 the first issue of the comic book series action comics is most recognized as the issue that introduced superman to. Superman is an ongoing american comic book series featuring the dc comics superhero superman as its main protagonist. It was in the june 1938 debut issue of action comics that the man of tomorrow first appeared. Scientific explanation of superman s amazing strength. In the span of a year, superman had received his own book title and sold over 1.
Wikimedia according to most comic book historians, supermans creation heralded the. Superman 1939 comic read superman 1939 comic online in. Mar 19, 2009 comic books in 1938 were definitely of a different size than they are today. Starting in 1939, superman would continue on to 1986 when alan moores story whatever happened to the man of tomorrow. Which is the most expensive superman comic of all time. Copy of first comic featuring superman from the 1930s sells for. Some superman series are just one issue oneshots and others are longer series, such as adventures of superman. Article with photos and biographies of jerry siegel and joe shuster. Golden 19381950, silver 19561970, bronze 19701985 and modern 1985the present. Get the best deals on superman golden age comics 19381955 when you shop the largest online selection at ebay.
Super heroes all died out between 1950 and 1955 with only superman, batman and wonder woman and a few smaller ones still being published. Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive the man of steel fights a neverending battle for truth, justice, and the american way. Superman from the thirties to the seventies original. After the war, sales dropped dramatically and then continued to slide down throughout the 1950s. The middle decade of the last century was not a good one for the comics industry. Top 10 most valuable comic books of all time youtube. Buy superman comic books at newkadia and they all have a 100% moneyback guaranted. Primary comic book anthology titles created by the company was more fun comics, adventure comics, detective comics, action comics, allamerican comics and superman. Gasoline alley 1930 gasoline alley comic book plus. Superman and batman and the great depression 2174 words. I picked it up from the library when i was a kid during the late 70s early 80s. For a list of comic book supervillain debuts, see list of comic book supervillain debuts. Dec 08, 2009 superheroes have been the dominant comicbook genre ever since superman transformed the industry in 1938. Jerry siegel and joe shuster, soon to be known for creating superman, began working on new fun in october 1935.
Before him there werent any and without him we wouldnt have. The character regularly appears in comic books published by dc comics. The man of steel is the ultimate symbol of truth, justice, and hope. Feb 22, 2017 hoknes comics presents an in depth history of 1930 s usa comics 20,000 images and 750 comics from the 1930s analyzed 16 hours long about 1930 s comic books every single comic book published in usa. Get the best deals on superman golden age comics 19381955 when you. Other superman rare comic books are listed lower down this page. Superman is an ongoing american comic book series featuring the dc comics superhero. June 30, 1938 the first issue of the comic book series action comics is most recognized as the issue that introduced superman to the world. Superman and batman and the great depression 2174 words 9 pages 36 page essasy u. Comic book history introduction 1933 1939 superman batman dc. The original superman comic book series is the most popular series.
Celebrate superman month historical timeline 1930s to 1960s. Superman s last hour starring superman, nails harrigan, and dan delta, script by jerry coleman, art by al plastino. This book has 3 pages and was uploaded by jonthescanner on march 28, 2015. The comic book pioneer created batmans archenemy, the joker, and named the caped crusaders sidekick robin. Mar 18, 2009 the comic book pioneer created batmans archenemy, the joker, and named the caped crusaders sidekick robin. It later became a radio show in 1940, opening with the phrase. National comics publications and allamerican publications, two precursors to dc comics, were formed publishing american comic books such as superhero comics starting in the 1930s. The two creators initially developed superman as a villain during the 1930s, but. Get premium, high resolution news photos at getty images. Those elements were wellknown to every pulp book reading, radiolistening. Jun 12, 2018 superman is iconic, instantly familiar. The script was written by bob goodman and directed by james tucker. Precrisis superman comic books 19381986 postcrisis comic books 19862011 postcrisis superman comics, specials, miniseries and graphic novels 19862011. The word superman was commonly used in the 1920s and 1930s to.